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Good Food Ireland

Good Food Ireland is a beacon for all lovers of good food. It is a network of places that make, sell or serve good food. Goatsbridge Trout Farm joined Good food Ireland a number of months ago and attended its first Good food Ireland event on 18th May in Dublin. It was a showcase workshop for the Irish travel trade .I did not have the privilege of meeting the founder Margaret Jeffares till that night and she certainly left a lasting impression.

We arrived well ahead of time for a change because I was travelling with an experienced Good food Ireland member who informed me it was,t the kind of event to be late for. We began to set up our table with our bite size tasters of Thai fish cakes and hot smoked pate canapes. My friend and expert chef Rosanne O Brien came along to help me and she brought her very colorful purple chefs coat which I admired. I had been warned before hand to purchase a Good Food Ireland Apron and shirt so we were all set.

Just as the room was beginning to fill up with the other members I got a tap on the shoulder to be met by the one and only Margaret Jeffares. She looked exactly as I had imagined, dressed in a very smart black and white suit. She had a lovely warm and friendly way about her and introduced herself and welcomed us to what she hoped would be the first of many Good Food Ireland events
. It was only then that the fun started. She basically reorganized our table explaining to both Rosanne and I that the stainless Steele bowls we were using did not represent the ethos of Goatsbridge as a food producer connected to our heritage and the land we were farming. They were replaced with beautiful rustic bowls from the very kind Burlington kitchen staff. Margaret spoke about standards before she striped Roseanne of her purple chefs coat and replaced it with a crisp white coat with the very bold Good Food Ireland crest. That done she wished us well and was on her way to the next newcomer.

Moments later as the room filled up with tour operators from all over the world I looked around the room to see a sea of black, white and green Good food Members working together to highlight the best local and artisan food of our island.It was only then that I truly understand Margaret,s words and the strength of people working together to promote the brand.
She had a good laugh after the event as I bade her farewell and told her she was just like my mother who is always right too.!! What an amazing experience.